The Faculty of Medicine is proud to recognize the achievements of its faculty in various areas reflecting the Faculty’s five strategic priorities: Education, Research, Engagement, Francophonie, and Internationalization and Global Health.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Educator of the Year Award – Pre-clerkship is presented annually to a member of the teaching staff who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their teaching in the pre-clerkship program of the School of Medicine, particularly in the development of innovative teaching material and methods, courses, and programs of study, and for their interpersonal skills.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Educator of the Year Award – Clerkship/Residency/Fellowship/Continuing Education is presented annually to a member of the teaching staff who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their teaching at the clerkship, residency, fellowship and/or continuing education levels, particularly in the development of innovative teaching material and methods, courses, and programs of study, and for their interpersonal skills.
Dr. Ramnanan is a Associate Professor in the Department of Innovation in Medical Education. His teaching ex-cellence was quickly recognized by the Faculty and resulted in his growing responsibility in the medical program over time. Dr. Ramnanan demonstrates excellence as an anatomy educator for the under-graduate program as well as champion for medical students interested in engaging in education schol-arship and research. During the pandemic, he responded creatively to the cancellation of in person learning and created online anatomy sessions to replace lost learning opportunities. He epitomizes the ideal medical educator with his passion for teaching, his leadership in innovation and his dedication to education scholarship.
Dr. Carlos Torres is a neuroradiologist who is passionate about teaching and has a strong interest in medical education, which he sees as the dissemination of knowledge in a horizontal (rather than vertical or hierarchical) way where information can be shared and discussed. Dr. Torres engages trainees through a case-based approach and understands the importance of collaborations, and bridging specialties and disciplines. His goal is help his trainees become well-rounded clinicians, sensitive to the needs and expectations of patients. Through his interactions and teaching, Dr. Torres stimulates his trainees to think critically and practice evidence-based medicine. He has received several teaching awards. Dr. Torres is a Full Professor in the Department of Radiology.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Educator of the Year Award – Basic Sciences is presented annually to a member of the teaching staff who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their teaching, particularly in the development of innovative teaching material and methods, courses, and programs of study, and for his or her interpersonal skills.
Dr. Keith Wheaton has extensive teaching experience and student-centered approach to undergraduate education, with a genuine commitment to excellence in university pedagogy that has strengthened the student learning experience. Dr. Wheaton provides tailored instruction and learning activities for several TMM courses ranging from genome integrity, metabolism, cancer biology and laboratory principles and techniques and also contributes to curriculum design and development. Dr. Wheaton uses a range of teaching methods including in-class discussions, dynamic debates, student-led seminars and case-based problem-solving. His seamless shift between instructional approaches is highly engaging and relatable and essential to support student motivation for learning. Dr. Wheaton is a Replacement Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Mentor of the Year Award – Clinical is presented annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship towards learners and/or junior faculty in the Faculty of Medicine, and helps inspire and motivate them throughout their program and chosen career. Mentors act as role models and have the potential to shape the learning process and experience.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Mentor of the Year Award – Basic Sciences is presented annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship towards learners and/or junior faculty in the Faculty of Medicine, and helps inspire and motivate them throughout their program and chosen career. Mentors act as role models and have the potential to shape the learning process and experience.
Christiane Kuntz (Family Medicine)
Dr. Christiane Kuntz is a family physician and clinical expert in women’s health whose passionate approach to teaching focuses on coaching and mentorship, as well as advocacy for our learners and the greater community. Dr. Kuntz is one of the most sought after community based preceptors in the postgraduate residency program. She models the values of a compassionate and patient centered family physician, mentoring residents with patience, experience, skills and abundant one-on-one attention to ensure success. She trains residents to be excellent communicators who care for the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspect of a person’s condition. Dr. Kuntz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine.
Dr. Adam Rudner is an experimentalist and expert in chromosome structure and dynamics. Dr. Rudner offers his trainees countless opportunities to explore their scientific curiosity through innovative projects, research programs and scholarships, and conference and poster presentations. He encourages students to perform experiments according the their interest and ensure students have access to the necessary resources even in fields that are out of his own area of expertise. Dr. Rudner also led the implementation of the SEA-Phages program for TMM students, an innovative new course which is now a model for other universities. As a mentor, he encourages his lab trainees to see each other as teammates and collaborators who are supportive and positive both in the lab and in life. Dr. Rudner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Researcher of the Year Award - Clinical is presented annually to a clinical investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the important and exceptional characteristics of their research work. Clinical research here is defined as research with the goal of improving the diagnosis, and treatment (including rehabilitation and palliation), of disease and injury; and improving the health and quality of life of individuals as they pass through normal life stages.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Researcher of the Year Award – Biomedical is presented annually to an investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work. Biomedical research here is defined as research with the goal of understanding normal and abnormal human functioning, at the molecular, cellular, organ system and whole body levels, including development of tools and techniques to be applied for this purpose; developing new therapies or devices that improve health or the quality of life of individuals, up to the point where they are tested on human subjects.
Dr. Mark Clemons is clinical researcher in the field of oncology, primarily focused on the development of pragmatic clinical trials to improve the care of breast cancer patients. He is lead and co-founder of the Rethinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) program since 2014 and has implemented an extremely innovative research program. His leadership of this pragmatic, patient-centered oncology research program is well recognized and REaCT was the first cancer trial program in Canada to instigate oral consent processes for most of its trials, allowing the program to thrive even during the pandemic. Dr. Clemons is a Full Professor in the Department of Medicine and Clinical Investigator at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Dr. Marc-André Langlois is a molecular virologist studying the interplay between retroviruses (HIV) and host immune defenses. Dr. Langlois’ research program has yielded important discoveries in HIV research, but over the past year he has made notable contribution to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic studying antibodies response and nasal-spray vaccine technology, as well as creating the Coronavirus Variant Rapid Response Network (CoVaRR Net). Dr. Langlois is Full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology and Canada Research Chair in Molecular Virology and Intrinsic Immunity.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Researcher of the Year Award – Public Health and Epidemiology is presented annually to an investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Researcher of the Year Award – Innovation and Education is presented annually to an investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work.
Dr. Beth Potter is an expert in the complex field of the epidemiology of rare diseases. She developed and leader the Canadian Inherited Metabolic Disease Research Network (CIMDRN), a multidisciplinary network on pediatric metabolic treatment centres, aimed at understanding family perspectives and experiences with care for children with inherited metabolic diseases. In 2020, Dr. Potter established INFORM RARE, a national multi-stakeholder network focused on registry-based randomized trials for rare pediatric diseases. Dr. Potter is an Associate Professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health.
Dr. Meghan McConnell is a medical education researcher who has gained national and international recognition for her expertise in pedagogical research and assessment and evaluation research. Recently, she has been investigating the role of test enhanced learning: with many medical schools and residency training programs around the world now emphasizing assessment for learning rather than the traditional end of unit high stakes exams, her work in this area is extremely timely. Dr. McConnell also studies the role of emotion and moods in the training, assessment and performance of healthcare professionals. Dr. McConnell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Innovation in Medical Education.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Early Career Researcher of the Year Award - Clinical is presented annually to a clinical investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work at this early stage of career. Clinical research here is defined as research with the goal of improving the diagnosis, and treatment (including rehabilitation and palliation), of disease and injury; and improving the health and quality of life of individuals as they pass through normal life stages.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Early Career Researcher of the Year Award – Biomedical is presented annually to an investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work at this stage of career. Biomedical research here is defined as research with the goal of understanding normal and abnormal human functioning, at the molecular, cellular, organ system and whole body levels, including development of tools and techniques to be applied for this purpose; developing new therapies or devices that improve health or the quality of life of individuals, up to the point where they are tested on human subjects.
Dr. Peter Tanuseputro is a physician who studies the health of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Tanuseputro’s research is high impact and far reaching, and he is already one of Canada’s national leaders with respect to measuring care based in the community, including palliative care, long term care and primary care. He is primarily a health services researcher, using ‘big data’ to improve health care delivery to aging and palliative care populations. Dr. Tanuseputro is Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Investigator at the Bruyère Research Institute and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Dr. Mireille Ouimet is an emerging leader in the field of metabolism research. Her early work dramatically changed the way we understand how cholesterol is removed from the cell and opened a new area of research on lipases and lipophagy in atherosclerosis. She also has elucidated how microRNA-based mechanisms of lipid regulation also play a role in bacterial infection. Her work has expanded our understanding of lipid mobilization in the cell. Dr. Ouimet is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology and Scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Early Career Researcher of the Year Award – Public Health and Epidemiology is presented annually to an investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work at this stage of career.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Early Career Researcher of the Year Award – Innovation and Education is presented annually to an investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work at this stage of career.
Dr. Amy Hsu leads a growing research program focused on health services researcher for aging, palliative and end-of-life populations. She has led the development of a mortality risk prediction algorithm to support early identification of care needs for frail, community-dwelling older adults. Her work has also highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations in long-term care settings. She has also developed unique risk communication tools for the creation of web-based knowledge translation tools to help improve the health and care planning for older Canadians. Dr. Hsu is a Lecturer in the Department of Family Medicine, Investigator at the Bruyère Research Institute and Affiliated Investigator at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and is the inaugural University of Ottawa Brain and Mind-Bruyère Research Institute Chair in Primary Health Care Dementia Research.
La Dre Kay Anne Haykal est un chef de file en médecine familiale qui s’engage à promouvoir la santé et le bien-être de ses collègues. Her research program is diverse and multidisciplinary, focusing on mental health and wellness, particularly wellness in the undergraduate medical education program. She has worked on developing the resilience curriculum and determining and promoting the appropriate tools and resources to improve wellness. Dr Haykal is Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Publication of the Year Award - Biomedical is presented annually to a researcher/scientist who is the senior author on a high-impact publication that is backed by an excellent publication record (based on career stage). Biomedical research here is defined as research with the goal of understanding normal and abnormal human functioning, at the molecular, cellular, organ system and whole body levels, including development of tools and techniques to be applied for this purpose; developing new therapies or devices that improve health or the quality of life of individuals, up to the point where they are tested on human subjects.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Publication of the Year Award - Clinical is presented annually to a researcher/scientist who is the senior author on a high-impact publication that is backed by an excellent publication record (based on career stage). Clinical research here is defined as research with the goal of improving the diagnosis, and treatment (including rehabilitation and palliation), of disease and injury; and improving the health and quality of life of individuals as they pass through normal life stages.
Dr. Simon Chen’s 2021 article ‘Delayed motor learning in a 16p11.2 deletion mouse model of autism is rescued by locus coeruleus activation’, published in Nature Neuroscience, explores the delays in motor skills development often reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a mouse model, his findings show that deletion of the chromosome 16p11.2 results in delayed motor learning without showing gross motor deficits. They also identified the neuronal structural, activity and circuit dysfunctions underlying the delayed motor learning. These results can significantly advance the understanding to neural network dysfunction in the brains of ASD patients. Dr. Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Canada Research Chair in Neural Circuits and Behaviour.
Lisa Caulley (Otolaryngology)
Dr. Johnson-Obaseki is an Assistant Professor and Surgical Oncologist on the Department of Otolaryngology and Dr. Lisa Caulley is an Assistant Professor and Surgical Oncologist on the Department of Otolaryngology. Their paper entitled ‘Salivary Detection of Covid-19’, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (2021) confirmed the feasibility of COVID-19 salivary testing in adults, though neither saliva nor NP swab was perfect in detecting SARS-CoV-2. For their joint publication
Benjamin Hibbert (Medicine)
Dr. Benjamin Hibbert’s New England Journal of Medicine article ‘Milrinone as Compared with Dobutamine in the Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock’ (2021) detail CAPITAL DOREMI, the first randomized controlled trial of inotrope therapy in cardiogenic shock, comparing the safety and efficacy of milrinone and dobutamine in patients with this condition. The results of the trial clearly determine that milrinone did not results in any significant advantage over dobutamine in primary and secondary outcomes, challenging a decades-long dogma of superiority of one over the other. The study also provides the first prospective data on inotrope therapy in this notoriously difficult-to-study population. Dr. Hibbert is an interventional cardiology and clinician scientist with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Early Career Researcher of the Year Award – Public Health and Epidemiology is presented annually to an investigator who has earned distinction for their unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of their research work at this stage of career.
The Faculty of Medicine’s Publication of the Year Award – Innovation and Education is presented annually to a researcher/scientist who is the senior author on a high-impact publication that is backed by an excellent publication record (based on career stage).
Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput’s article ‘2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years: summary of the evidence’ was published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (2020).These new guidelines inform national policy and actions to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours as wellas help align national health behaviours surveillance systems that track progress towards national and global targets. Dr. Chaput is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute.
Dr. Susan Humphrey-Murto’s paper ‘Are raters influenced by prior information about a learner? A review of assimilation and contrast effects in assessment’ was published in Advances in Health Sciences Education, Theory and Practice (2021). As the advent of competency-based medical education has led to an increase emphasis on raters assessments, rater cognition is an emerging and important research area to understand variations in adjusticators. This paper describes key concept and contexts that might impact the influence of prior information on raters, and provides a theoretical framework for future research. Dr. Humphrey-Murto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, cross-appointed toe he Department of Innovation in Medical Education.
The Faculty of Medicine Outstanding Service Award (Faculty) is presented annually to a faculty member in recognition of their academic and clinical excellence in service, supporting the University community, enriching education programs and contributing to the achievement of the University’s and Faculty’s goals.
The Faculty of Medicine Award for Leadership in Wellness (Faculty) is presented annually to a faculty member in recognition of their work for the promotion and enhancement of well-being in their daily lives. The Faculty Wellness Program would like to celebrate the initiative of these individuals by formally recognizing their efforts and contributions to the success of the Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Jean Seely is an academic radiologist who has dedicated her clinical research to improving the effectiveness of early diagnosis of breast cancer and reducing the rate of poor cancer outcomes. In 2017, she founded the Canadian Society of Breast Imaging, a national society with a mission to save life years and improve quality of life through early detection of breast cancer, as well as provide quality education and trusted information to patients and physicians across Canada. Dr. Seely’s research helped established shorter imaging protocols, thereby increasing access for more patients. These shorter protocols established at TOH are serving as a model and being adopted in many centers in Canada. Dr. Seely’s management of the Rose Ages Breast Health Centre is exceptional, training high calibre international fellows, fundraising for new world-class equipment and space and advocating for improved and effective patient care. Dr. Seely is a Full Professor in the Department of Radiology.
Dr. Tim Lau is a physician and serves the Director of Joy at Work Initiative for the Department of Psychiatry. His this position, he has worked for the promotion and enhancement of well-being in the daily lives of faculty members. He has helped faculty members receive recognition for their hard work through national awards and support for promotions. Dr. Lau is also working with the Faculty to set up a network of Physician Leads for Wellness at the affiliated hospitals. For more than 10 years, Dr. Lau has organized courses and facilitated workshops for couples and parents to enhance wellness in daily life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he took a leadership role to help calm the anxieties of the public as well as faculty members. Dr. Lau is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Distinguished Teacher in the Faculty of Medicine.
The Faculty of Medicine Award for Leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (Faculty) is presented annually to a faculty member in recognition of their work for the promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout the activities of the Faculty.
The Faculty of Medicine Social Accountability Award (Faculty) is presented annually to a faculty member in recognition of their contribution to social accountability at the Faculty of Medicine by engaging, partnering with, and responding to the needs of communities or regions we serve. Social accountability here is broadly defined as the obligation to direct the Faculty’s education, research and service activities towards addressing the priority health concerns of the community, region, and/or nation we have a mandate to serve.
Dr. Vivian Welch is an internationally recognized scholar in the areas of high-impact systematic reviews and methods related to the integration of health equity considerations into clinical trials, systematic reviews and practice guidelines. Dr. Welch has led guideline development including PRIMSA-EQUITY, GRADE equity and CONSORT-Equity. She is currently leading a chapter on gender, equity and human rights assessment in WHO guidelines development and a chapter on equity and special populations for the Cochrane Collaboration handbook. She co-chaired the inaugural EDI committee at SEPH for the development of recommendations to promote a safe and inclusive environment. Dr. Welch is an Associate Professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health and Investigator at the Bruyère Research Institute.
Dr. Lynne Leonard is a world leader in the development of harm reduction programmes for marginalized communities. Her work is targeted towards improving the health of marginalized communities, working directly with the communities to develop and evaluate strategies for addressing their self-identified key health concerns. She has worked on initiatives related to the use of drugs (needle exchange programme, overdose prevention, opioid epidemic), HIV and HCV infection (reducing risk) and the consequences of systemic racism. She has been a ministerial advisor in local, provincial and national government committees on harm reduction. Embodying an ‘action research’ approach, with a main focus on public health challenges, Dr. Leonard’s research closely addressed the social accountability mandate of the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Leonard is an Associate Professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health.
The Faculty of Medicine Professionalism Award (Faculty) is presented annually to a faculty member who recognizes the importance of promoting ethical and professional behaviour within our community, demonstrates exemplary professionalism and embody the Faculty’s core professionalism values: respect, collaboration, excellence, compassion and empathy, integrity and honesty, altruism, wellness, equity, confidentiality, responsibility and accountability, dedication and self-improvement.
Dr. Giuseppe Pagliarello is a general surgeon, a natural leader and an exemplary role model. Dr. Pagliarello recognizes that the success of our institution relies heavily on our ability to work together as a community of physicians, surgeons, nurses and allied health professionals, reach across differences and actively cultivate a health work environment. He is an effective two-way communicator and has successfully harmonized efforts from different groups to ensure safety and well-being of staff all the while maintaining high quality of patient care. In all aspects of his work, Dr. Pagliarello promotes ethical and professional behaviour throught the Faculty and demonstrates respect, compassion, empathy and responsibility. Dr. Pagliarello is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery and Head of the Division of General Surgery.
The Faculty of Medicine Award for the Promotion of Francophonie (Faculty) is presented annually to a faculty member in recognition of the promotion of Francophonie in all aspects of their work in academia and beyond.
Marjorie Pomerleau (Family Medicine)
Dr. Marjorie Pomerleau is actively involved in the Francophone medical community. She sits on several Faculty committees contributing to the improvement of the family medicine residency training program at Hôpital Montfort and participates in several research projects that help shape and influence scholarship and Francophone affairs. She also teaches medical students, ensuring that they acquire all the necessary skills to provide care in French and advocates for the importance of offering services in the patients’ preferred official language. Dr. Pomerleau is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Director of the Montfort Teaching Unit.
The Faculty of Medicine International and Global Health Award recognizes the most skilled and dedicated Faculty member who demonstrates exceptional leadership and commitment in advancing the Faculty strategic mandate of Internationalization and Global Health.
Marie-Hélène Chomienne (Family Medicine)
Dr. Marie-Hélène Chomienne is a clinician investigator with a particular interest for health inequalities faced by Francophones in minority communities and for maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. At the international level, she set up almost 20 years ago the French apprenticeship program in Benin Africa, as well as a pilot project for innovative and interactive training in one of their villages. Dr. Chomienne is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and a clinician investigator at the Institut du Savoir Montfort.